We are delighted to feature Jill Fraser of Martinborough, New Zealand in our blog today. Not only is Jill an extremely talented miniaturist but in her time she has been a photographer, commercial artist, a designer and builder of houses and a maker of full-size furniture.

Working from a fully equipped workshop and a large studio space, Jill builds her dollhouses from scratch, make the inhabitants, make their clothes and most of the furniture and fittings. It’s a hobby she has been enjoying since about 1992.

Modernised Federation Villa by Julie Boyer, Brisbane.

But that is just a fraction of what Jill does, as she told Miniatura: “In 1997 I developed Murdoch James Estate Vineyard and Winery in Martinborough, New Zealand and the wine industry provided an interesting challenging lifestyle for myself and my husband, Roger.

“In 2006 I started up a wine tour company, Martinborough Wine Tours, which grew and became terribly busy. At the same time, I joined the Lower Hutt Miniature Makers, in Petone, NZ.  The winery was sold in 2016 and the tour company in December 2019.  I started publishing a bi-monthly magazine for Miniatures in 2016.   As I do all the workshops and projects first, photograph them and often do kits of them, this keeps me off the streets. In my own projects I make most things excepting the pottery and glassware, and some lights.”

Queenslander by Elizabeth Barnes, Sydney

Talking about how the magazine came into existence, Jill explained: “In the early hours of a morning three years ago I had an epiphany. We have a lot of Australian and New Zealand miniaturists whose work is seldom acknowledged in print in overseas miniature magazines. Miniature Time Traveller Magazine, a bi-monthly publication, came into being.

“At least three miniaturists are featured each issue.  Shows are covered and reported on.  Interesting projects are included in 12^th and 24^th scale. All issues include a knitting pattern and at least one piece of furniture to do. There is a bit of gossip.

Queenslander by Maureen Holmes-Wood of New Plymouth, NZ.

“Our heritage New Zealand and Australian houses owe a lot to the Victorian era and the Californian bungalow. In New Zealand you have the iconic ‘painted lady’ villa in several designs and in Australia, the Queenslander, a unique design. These downunder styles are being replicated in 12^th and 24^th scale, augmenting the Tudor, Georgian and Victorian houses which are always popular.

“I travelled (pre-Covid-19) often between Australia and New Zealand and the work in both countries would be familiar to European miniaturists but at the same time present a difference that is uniquely ‘downunder’.”

Bach by Glenys Hill, Oamaru, NZ. In the 1930s to 1980s a typical NZ holiday beach home.

During the publication of her magazine Jill meets a lot of different miniaturists in both countries and is always impressed with how innovative and clever they are.  She added, “There are strong miniature clubs in all the states in Australia and around 23 in total nationwide in New Zealand.  Most NZ clubs have around 20-25 members although some are smaller.  All great people!

Federation style Villa by Barry Allen, Wellington,NZ

“New Zealand has a major exhibition/convention bi-annually.  This was upset by Covid-19 this year.  It is hosted by a different club each time, and this year was the Christchurch Garden City Club’s turn. Alas, cancelled.  There is usually a large display area of the work of all the NZAME (The New Zealand Association of Miniature Enthusiasts) members work. There are tables of things for sale. There are workshops over three days that delegates elect to do.

“In Australia it is a little different.  Each State has a Miniature Fair usually once a year.  They are well supported by suppliers of all things miniature, so the emphasis is on being able to buy things and their display content is not so vast.

Double fronted Federation Villa. Tasmanian artist

“The AMEA (Australian Miniature Enthusiasts Association) have a convention every two years and this is predominantly workshopping with members learning new skills and techniques along the way. Members of all clubs throughout Australia can join the AMEA.

Jill has very kindly sent these amazing photographs of typically Australian and New Zealand dolls houses, and her knowledge of the architecture and history of these buildings makes for fascinating reading.

Early NZ villa farm by Nigel Ogle,Hawera,NZ

Background to New Zealand and Australian Houses.

The early settlers who arrived in New Zealand (1853-1900 onward) were bringing their Victorian heritage with them, frozen in the time of their leaving. Any future evolving of the Victorian décor, in New Zealand, was the result of settlers returning to Europe on trips and bringing back ideas and visions of William Morris wallpaper and Japonaise furniture. At least three different types of villa grew from this.

In addition, houses built by the Government for railway works were of a consistent design.  Then in the early part of the 20^th century the Labour government-built State Houses.

Typical NZ railway house by Nigel Ogle, Hawera, NZ

These are all inspiring New Zealand miniaturists.

In Australia the architecture was largely influenced by the climate and its location. Melbourne has a lot of early Victorian and Federation houses the miniaturists like to copy. Sydney has streets of Terrace Houses. Queensland has their Queenslanders – houses build way off the ground to encourage air circulation and large airy verandas, for example. The furniture was traditionally Victorian although more modern designs are being made now.

Typical Sydney terraced house by Vera Snowdon, Levin, NZ.

Meet Jill at the Spring Miniatura

We are thrilled that Jill plans on travelling from New Zealand to England for the Spring Miniatura Show. She will be bringing copies of her magazine Miniature Time Traveller  with her. But if you can’t wait until then, find out more here:  https://miniaturetimetraveller.com/